Demonstrator



`6 sheets-sheet 1 QQ@ S E. RHEINFRANK DEMONSTRATOR ,SJMS xmmwmx Oct. 30, 1951 Filed April 28, 195o Oct. 30, 1951 E. RHEINFRANK DEMONSTRATOR Filed April 28, 1950 INVENTOR .FL/GENE @Hf/NFPA NK ATTORNEY E. RHEINFRANK DEMONSTRATOR Oct. 30, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 'I5 Filed April 28, 1950 *Mld INVENTOR w M H/.m M .m u r mit U Oct. 30, 1951 E. RHEINFRANK DEMONSTRATOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 28, 1950 Oct. 30, 1951 E, RHElNFRANK 2,573,490

DEMONST'RATOR Filed April 28, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 l NVENTOR fum-NE PHE/FRANK f, f f, l ATTORNEY Eigj'.

Oct. 30, 1951 E. RHEINFRANK DEMONSTRATOR 6 shets-sheet 6 Filed April 28, 1950 f ArroRNEY Patented Oct. 30, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 2 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon in accordance with the provisions of the act of April 30, 1928 (Ch. 460, 45 Stat. L. 467).

This application is a continuation in part of my application for a patent for a Demonstrator, now abandoned, which was filed April 1, 1949, and received the Serial Number 85,011.

My invention may be used with models of ships, boats, motor vehicles or aircraft to demonstrate the courses followed immediately prior toa colliding, by each of the craft involved.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments of my invention:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of my device upon which is mounted a map of the site of a collision including the courses followed by all craft involved.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan View, partly broken away, of the device illustrated in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan of a member having a course directing slot therein.

Figures '7, 8, and 9 are smaller scale diagrams illustrating the simulation of the movements of ships following intersecting courses.

Figure 10 is an elevation, partly in section, showing a model with an attached slide which slide is arranged to follow a slot cut through a map and a supporting sheet, with two attached cords for pulling the model in opposite directions.

Figure 11 illustrates a further modification which .relies upon the magnetic attraction of a horseshoe magnet, through an insulating supporting sheet, for a model which includes a companion magnet.

Figure 12 is a wiring diagram of one form of model operating mechanism.

Figure 13 is a wiring diagram of an alternative model operating mechanism. y

Figure 14 is a fragmentary bottom View of a modification of my operating means in which the course of a movable magnet is controlled by a flexible rod.

Figure 15 is a detail of a portion of Figure 14 on a larger scale.

Figure 16 is a further modification of the embodiment of my device shown in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary section on the line liv-I1' of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a bottom plan view of ,an embodiment of my device which is diagrammatically shown in Figure 8.

In Figures 1 to 5 is shown the complete assembly of elements comprising one form of my invention. Figure 1 is a plan view of the upper side of the device. Figure 2 is a partial plan view of the bottom side of the device of Figure l, and Figures 3 to 5 are more detailed views of the pulleys used in the device. In each of these Figures l to 5, the like numerals indicate the same parts ineach figure, and numerals suflixed with an A indicate duplicate like parts.

In these Figures 1 to 5 is shown a frame 20 having a central opening in which a thin nonmagnetic supporting sheet 2l is mounted. This sheet 2 l, as shown in Figure 1, supports a map or the like 43, the map being used to show the location of a collision to be simulated. The frame 29 is provided with slots 22, 22A and 23, 23A and supports on its underside, as shown in Figure 2, two fixed double groove pulleys 25, 25A and two driving'pulleys 26, 26A each of the latter being rigidly coupled with a worm gear 2l, '21A which meshes with a worm gear 28, 28A on the shaft of an electric motor 29 or 29A as best shown in Figure 3.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures l to 5, drive pulley 26 transmits power through endless belt 36 to a pulley 25 which is adjustable along slot 22. Pulleys 25 and 25A support an endless belt 3l. To belt 31 is attached a model 39 by any suitable means. In the embodiment of Figure l the model 39 is attached to a line which is in turn suitably connected to belt 3l. The models path of travel is determined by groove 41 in the supplementary support plate 48 as shown in more detail in Figure 6. An additional model 39A may be moved in a similar manner by the use of pulleys of the nature of 25,-*25A mounted in slots 23 and 23A as shown in Figure 7.

Each of Figures 8, 9, and 18 show various modifications of the courses of the models which may be utilized in the invention. In these figures the various like numeraled pulleys and belts correspond to those described in connection with Figure l above and, as shown, the directions of travel of the models are varied by varying the positions of pulleys such as 25 as shown in Figures 8 and 18 or by using pulleys 25 and 25A, and xed pulleys such as 24, as shown in Figure 9.

The model may be attached to the belts 3T by various means. As shown in Figure 10, model 39 is'detachably secured by a screw 40 to a slide 4i such a type model attachment is used, the course of the vessels is dependent upon the slot 42 which also appears then in map 43. The slide di is provided with ears 44 or the like to which is attached belt 31.

For use of the device without the requirement of a slot, as is preferred, thev model isY connected to the belt 31 as shown in Figure l1. In this form. a magnet 45 is attached to model 39 and a second magnet 46 is attached to beltV 31 by means. of ears 50. As shown, the magnets .are on. either side of non-magnetic supporting sheet T21. The movement of magnet 46 by belt 3l will,` by :magnetic attraction, cause the model 39 to move.

Provision is made to drive the beltY 3T, 31A at any desired speed. Figures 12 and 13 'show circuits which have been found lsuitable for the purpose. Referring tofFigure 13, current is supplied from a-.suitable source of `alternating current 3l to a rectifier 32 which supplies direct current through a resistance 33 and a speedv con .troller 34!V to a motor L29. A reversing switch VS5 is provided for, at will reversing .the direction of; rotation of .the motor 29 for reversing the direc- .tion of movement of themodel. A similar con- -trol circuit is shown .in Figure l2, .the variation from Figure 13 being the use of Ya Variable transformer 34A used .to control the speed.

In Figures 14 and VY15 thecourseof `a model moving magnetv I2 is controlled by a guide wire, rod or tube l of brass or other nonmagnetic metal uponV which there are mounted a plurality of grooved pulleysZ. f f

A `grooved pulley 13 is revolubly mounted Yon ad link which is releasably clamped in a slot of one of Ytwo .strips H which slot corresponds yto the slots 23, 23A ofFigure l. Asecondgrooved pulley Y is'tobe demonstrated by my device.

'4 is similarly mounted on a link 5 and is similarly mounted inthe same rslot .as the rst of said links.V To the .end of the link 5 on which the pulley -4 is mounted there is attached a slack `adjusting coiled spring ltwhich spring is .also fastened Vby a screw near an -end of thestrip H.A

.An electric motor I Yis provided with a shaft upon which there is rigidly .mounted a grooved :driving pulley. The frame of Vthe motor 1 is mounted on a bracket which is adjustably clamped in a second slotted strip Il, the latter -being yperpendicular to said'rst yslotted strip. A 5

grooved idler pulley 8 is mountedgon a second rbracket which in turn is .adjustably clamped in the 'said slot in said second .strip H corresponding to slot 22, 22A of Figure 1. 9 is 'attached toV each of the plurality of slides 2 and over the grooved pulleys 3, 4, 8 and a grooved Vpulleyfon the shaft of the motor 1. In this modi- -li'cation a model supporting sheet IB is mounted in a rectangular frame I5 on which the slotted; plates II are mounted. e

VIn Figures 16 andr1'7 there is` shown a modification of the embodiment of my invention shown Vin Figures 14 and 15. lIn this modiiication,

wherein a plurality of models to be moved are" less belts e and Sopass over the grooved pulleys "70 3 ,and 3al` (not shown); 4 and 4a (not shown); the .pulleys on the shaft of motors -l Yand 'ia around .8 and 8a and over the plurality of pulleys Yi8 and I8a. The model moving magnets l2 and 12a lmay be attached to the belts S and 9ct by two An endless beltopposed tension members, as indicated in Figures 16 and 17. The flexible rod I shown in Figure 14 is eliminated from this modication, which depends upon adjustments of length and position with respect to the plate Il for causing the belt 9 to follow a .course simulating ,that which a ship has traveled immediately prior A:to colliding.

It may beV clearly seen ffrom a consideration .of Figure 16 that a plurality of models may be moved to simulate the particular courses and particular speeds of Vehicles involved in a collision. The courses and speeds may be accurately reproduced up to the time of the collision which The arms l and Ha are adjusted to show the particular converging courses of the vehicles and the motors l and'la are'run at speeds which will simulate `those of they vehicles. In such a manner the converging courses and respective speeds of the vehicles up to the point of collision are clearly shown. My deviceis Vparticularly adapted to .reproduce in miniature, the courses Afollowed and relative speed of ships by the use of charts, drawn to scale, withk the aid of scaledV miniaturel models of the craft involved in a collision.V Such demonstrations are of great value when used during the trials of damage suits in courts of admiralty. My device may also beused in teaching practical navigation and admiralty law, including the statutory rules of navigation. It will be helpful to assist students to. comprehend and remember causes of many of the more common types of .collisions which have occurred and to assistthem When my device is used for demonstrating Y`collisionsof land vehicles, a map of the scene should be used showing all curb lines, trailcsig- -nals and signs, the location of buildings, street excavations and any other obstructions to .the vision or the normal flow of -land trac.

Similarly when used for demonstrating col- 0 lisions of yaircraft at or near an airport, .a map should be used showing the locationv of runways,

signal towers, transmission lines, .tall buildings and chimneys, the direction and speed ofthe Wind at the time -of the accident, and the direc- Y tion of any radio guiding'beam.

vkIt should be VVunderstood that the present disclosure Vis for the purpose of illustration only and that the invention includes all modiiications and equivalents which fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: Y

l. A device for simulating the movements of vehicles involved in a collision which comprises a frame having sl-ots therein, a plurality of arms adjustably attached tov said fra-me by means of a member which is capable of sliding in said slots and which member is also capable of fixing the arm in a rigid position, a terminal grooved pulley carried by each arm, a plurality of motors carried by said frame, a drive pulley connected to each motor, a plurality of endless belts, each belt dening a curved circuit by passing over a plurality of terminal grooved pulley wheels carried by the arms and also over the -drive pulley off a motor, a plurality'of magnets, each attached to one of said belts by means of two opposed filaments, a nonmagnetic surface extending across and bounded by one surface of said frame, and a plurality of vehicle models having magnets embedded therein and adapted to ride on said surface, whereby the adjustable arms may be set to arrange the endless belts in a course to be simulated, the motors may be run at a speed to be simulated and hence the moving magnets attached to the endless belts will move the models on the nonmagnetic surface to simulate the courses and speeds of vehicles prior to their collision.

2. A device for simulating the movements of vehicles involved in a collision which comprises a frame having slots around its periphery, a plurality of arms adjustably attached to said frame by bolts whereby the head of the bolt slides in said slots, a terminal grooved pulley carried by each arm, a plurality of tensioning springs each connecting a tensioning arm and the frame, a plurality of motors carried by said frame, a drive pulley attached to the shaft of each motor, speed control means attached to each motor, a plurality of endless belts, each belt defining a curved circuit by passing over a plurality of the grooved pulley Wheels carried by fixed arms and a grooved pulley Wheel carried by a tensioning arm and the drive pulley of a motor, a plurality of magnets each attached to one yof said endless belts -by means of two opposed filaments, a nonmagnetic sheet extending across and bounded by the perimeter of said frame, a map on the upper surface of said sheet, and a plurality of vehicle models having magnets embedded therein and adapted to ride on said surface, whereby a plurality of adjustable arms may be set to arrange each endless belt in a course to be simulated which courses do not cross but converge at the point of collision to be simulated, the motors may be run at a speed to be simulated and hence the moving magnets attached to the endless belts Will move the models on the map surface to simulate the courses and speeds of the vehicles prior to and up to the point of their collision.

EUGENE RHEINFRANK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,239,395 Mallory Apr. 22, 1941 2,254,810 Will Sept. 2, 1941 2,400,149 Immerman May 14, 1946V 2,486,273 Gibson Oct. 25, 1949 n FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 449,781 Great Britain July 3, 1936 137,708 Austria May 25, 1934 

